Public Education of Any Sort

I am apologetically a staunch defender of public education. I prefer the traditional neighborhood school as it is an anchor that welcomes all through their doors (there are charters that don't do this). So let's stop for a moment and not fuss over the manner of organization.

Public education plays many roles and that has been its long and, dare I say, glorious history. Public schools are anchors in the communities of America. Our schools are social in nature and connect those unacquainted with one another to perhaps be friends. Our schools provide a basis for carrying out the values of America enshrined in our Constitution and the traditions of our country. Our public schools expose young people to the various economic, social and culture norms we have long believed in.

Put another way - where would we be without them? Imagine if all of our schools were merely merit based or simply based upon some sort of belief system that rigidly conformed to only one way of viewing the world. Conjure up where we would be nearly 250 years after our founding without these fine public institutions.

They are worth protecting and defending. Doing any less would doom our country and what we have achieved and hope to do so going forward.

Dick